Letters: Community heros, riots, our rights and more | Aug. 16

Offer math skills to tutor students

An Aug. 7 letter asked what “An old mathematician ... might contribute to the war against the coronavirus.” After giving the question some consideration, I thought to offer two suggestions:

1) Every day, people are bombarded with numbers, graphs and statistics regarding coronavirus. All this data is hard to understand without a math background — especially in a day and age when too many governmental leaders are politicizing science. Your experience as a mathematician is very valuable in helping your neighbors and friends sort through the info. Use math to help people understand why wearing masks and social distancing will help keep our community safe.

2) With classes being online, there will be a greater need for online math tutoring. Consider reaching out to some local schools, teachers or students you know, and offer your willingness to help students with math homework. If you are not zoom savvy, there are plenty of young ‘uns who would love to show you how zoom works in exchange for some math help.

I hope that every citizen can look at their respective talents and ask, “What might I contribute to the war against the coronavirus?” Thank you for your example.

.......

Heroes are those who persevere

I recently ran onto a quote that reminded me of the heroes in our community who daily exhibit the strength to persevere. People like nurses, doctors, ambulance corpsmen, small business owners struggling to survive, clerks in grocery stores and pharmacies, single mothers facing eviction and many others too numerous to list. These will be the ones who will ensure the survival of our society.

“A hero is not a superman, but just an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”

~ Christopher Reeve

.......

How much more tax can we bear?

West Richlanders, do you people like paying more property taxes every year? Do you like seeing people sell their homes because they can’t afford the continuing rise? Houses around me are selling all the time. I’m wondering where my limit is. My taxes are about $4,400. Last year they were $2,700, and I thought that was bad. It made me refinance. Maybe we have a bunch of rich people here, and they don’t care, I don’t know. Maybe they just want rich people here. Maybe they won’t have hardly anybody here in the future. Levies, bonds, every year. Do we vote for these people?

.......

Thanks to all who maintain Chamna

Thanks to the City of Richland, Tapteal Greenway Association and REI for Chamna Natural Preserve. We have lived in Richland for 40 years but just recently explored this park.

The Preserve is south of Aaron Street along the Yakima River. It has over 11 miles of shaded and sunny trails for horseback riding, mountain biking or walking. Signage and benches help make this a location for all ages.

Volunteers keep the park up. They also welcome visitors to bring trash bags and help clean litter along the trails.

We live in a great community. We have many generous citizens and businesses with high-quality city staff. The beautiful rivers and parks help make the Tri-Cities a wonderful place to live.

.......

Demand rights, ignore numbers

Enough! Living is filled with danger to which we adapt — driving, medical mistakes and communicable disease. Yet we drive, have surgery and work during flu season. Apparently, we are no longer able to think for ourselves, but are now instructed by the state. (Gov.) Jay Inslee tells us we cannot go to church, funerals, schools, weddings and visit family in nursing homes because it will spread COVID-19.

At the same time, the government encourages criminally violent insurrection that somehow does not spread COVID-19. Does any reasonable person believe this blatant lie? Does any reasonable person believe the error-ridden COVID-19 numbers? Why do seditious actors in our government treat us like sheep? Because we’ve behaved like sheep.

Every generation must fight for its liberty and it is our time to lawfully protest and resist illegal overreach. Our liberties are our birthright, they are not granted by the state and therefore, cannot be curbed by the state. If you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything. Americans, it’s time to wake up!

.......

Feds will end riots in our big cities

A lot has been written about whether or not federal troops should be deployed to the cities where riots are happening. Not surprisingly, the administrations of those cities don’t want the troops in their town, nor do the rioters.

Let’s look at why. The riots have gone on for weeks, and city leaders have not been able to control the riots. If the federal troops come in and regain control, that will make the city administration look bad. Nobody wants to look bad with an election around the corner.

It’s also easy to see why the rioters don’t want the feds there. They’ve had a free hand at assaulting the local cops and other “fun” behavior.

Think back for a moment to when you were a kid playing with your friends and getting into mischief. Your big brother was there but he didn’t care what you did and you were okay with that.

But if your mom showed up, the mischief (and the fun) would come to a grinding halt. Well, your mom could be like the federal troops. When the feds show up, the mischief ends and rioters don’t want that. Also easy to see.

.......

Check out agenda of BLM group

We’ve heard so much about the “Black Lives Matter” (BLM) group, yet I wonder how many people who support them actually know what the organization stands for and how it is being funded by sympathizers to radical Islamic, communistic, socialistic agendas. Do your own homework, follow the money to the truth. Your are being used to cause chaos and divide our country. The death of George Floyd has nothing to do with the BLM agenda. Do you think all the looting, burning, deaths and destruction of property are going to make people listen to the issues that BLM considers relevant? No! There are peaceful, legal ways to engage conversations and address the issues that some people think are problems. It doesn’t involve the disrespect of authority.

Defunding the police is not the answer. Based on the destructive way things are going in several of our larger cities, we need to increase funding. No city deserves the lawlessness and physical injuries that the police are receiving. Nor do the business owners and residences. Yes, there are issues that need to be addressed; defunding the police is not one of them. We must get back to respecting all people and laws.

.......

Is Inslee getting free time on TV?

Is our governor trying to copy New York's governor by putting himself on camera every time he makes another pronouncement? Is this free advertising for the coming election?

.......

Population is 4%, new cases 21%

The numbers should be alarming, but not enough people seem to be paying attention. Headlines yesterday showed that in one day, June 5, Benton and Franklin counties had 57 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and the entire state had 264.

So with 4% of the state’s population, our counties had over 21% of the new cases on that day. It should be a wake-up call for people who have adopted the attitude that, gee, if I haven’t contracted the disease that’s been around for at least 3 months, maybe I have some kind of magical immunity.

Or maybe, I’m so darned healthy that even if I get it, it will only be like having the flu for a few days. Whether you are afraid of contracting the disease or not, as a community, our only way out of Phase 1 lockdown is to consistently practice hand washing, face covering and social distancing.

Maybe in the long run our scientists will find a treatment and/or vaccine to fight this virus, but for now, we only have the old-fashioned defenses. Please use them.

.......

“Snowjob-oquine:” Not for everyone

BREAKING NEWS: Scientists at Trump University have announced development of an oral vaccine to combat COVID-19. Taken once as a tablet that looks very much like generic aspirin, you will be protected from the virus. They have offered no test results or empirical evidence supporting their claims. The new drug is called “Snowjob-oquine.” President Trump urges everyone to buy Snowjob-oquine. “It’s a tremendous product every American must buy to be protected from the Kung Flu. Testing? Who needs testing? Trust me! Snowjob-oquine really works! And at only $39.99 a tablet, cash only, it’s a terrific value!” Snowjob-oquine will be advertised exclusively on FOX News. The target market will be Trump supporters, white nationalists and the mentally impaired.

Of course, the above is an attempt at sarcastic humor. However, with our stunningly ignorant and corrupt president, even the above scenario is not so far-fetched. Instead of providing a national plan to fight the virus, he spews lies, conspiracy theories and happy talk. He contradicts his own scientists by pushing hydroxycloroquine and, incredibly, has considered Clorox injections! Trump is incapable of leading; he is nothing but a carnival barker and cheap huckster. America deserves better. Vote Trump out Nov. 3.

.......

Trump won’t abide by Constitution

Has everyone seen the photo-op of Trump standing outside an Episcopal Church holding up (what’s) presumably a Bible? The police paved the way for him when he emerged from the bunker to get to the church by lobbing tear gas at peaceful protesters before this “heroic” image was, well, shot. But not even the Episcopal bishop was fooled and denounced it. The last time Trump had a Bible near his hand was on Inauguration Day, 2017, and I wager this was the closest he came to a church other than a drive-by or en route to KFC. I believe Gov. (Mario) Cuomo blurted something to the effect, “Why don’t you open it?” It’s all about image, guv.

Whether about George Floyd, Mr. Arbery of Brunswick, Ga., or over 100,000 American deaths, this president hasn’t much sentience. And other than his 40%, more or less, he doesn’t appear to do more than foster division in this land.

Heraclitus said, “Character is destiny,” so I don’t look for anything to change with Donald Trump or his Republican mercenaries right up to the November elections. Before then, will he disband the USPS? Will he eliminate mail-in voting? Will he beg for Putin’s help? Be assured he and his attorney general will do everything possible to get a second term. What would Al Capone do?

Just don’t expect him to abide by the Constitution.

.......

Don’t want cops? Stay out of trouble

I read in the July 18 paper that a group is calling to defund the police in our area. Seriously? Come on, people; use your brains! Can you not see the danger in this? I understand you hate being told, no, you can’t do this or that, but you are not the only people in the community. If you don’t like to interact with the police, then obey the law. Sorry, but that means no theft, no murder, no speeding, no hurting other people or their property. Why is this so hard to figure out? Your unconcern for the community makes my head hurt.

.......

Why does church flout virus rules?

I took notice today (Aug. 9) that a Pasco church was conducting services on the lawn in front of the church. Although a large congregation was gathered, few were practicing social distancing and there was not a mask in sight.

This is a very curious situation that begs several questions. Why do these folks behave in this reckless manner, openly violating the government distancing and masking requirements currently in effect? Does their compulsion for personal and religious freedom take priority over science data telling us how contagious and potentially deadly this virus can be? Are these folks sensitive to the sick and dying people in our community? Aside from their opposition to the mandates, where is their common sense?

Wearing a protective mask and social distancing is no big deal. Why would these folks knowingly risk transmitting this scourge between themselves and to friends, family and the general public, including to me?

Lastly, why aren’t the authorities putting a stop to this?

.......

She wants more death statistics

I have only lived here briefly, but I find the reporting on the COVID-19 to be fear-mongering and slanted. From the Benton County website, here are the facts that should be reported as of July 7: 97% of deaths in Benton County are people aged 60 and up. The death rate based on the number of confirmed cases is 4%. The hospitalization rate is 11.9%. If more people have the virus than the number who were tested, the rates would be much lower.

When we drive policy with flawed metrics, it doesn’t make any sense. The 10% who are 60 or older, along with those having extenuating health risks, should continue to wear masks and implement all of the safety requirements. I am in the 60+ category, so I don’t have an agenda for not complying. When this virus first started, we were told we needed to “flatten the curve” so that hospitals wouldn’t be overwhelmed. Now I don’t even hear those words. And what ever happened to “herd immunity?” I can’t find any statistics on how many of the cases are from nursing homes and extended care facilities, but I would guess that most deaths are in this bracket.

Editor’s note: The Herald has regularly reported nursing home deaths and risk factors, including age.

This story was originally published August 16, 2020 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Letters: Community heros, riots, our rights and more | Aug. 16."